Trokkie revving, Botha fuelled up for final lap

Juarno Augustus and Arno Botha, two former Junior Springbok giants, have left tyre tracks across rugby’s highway.

Two South African powerhouse No 8s, they’ve each carried their teams to the edge of European glory this season.

In this weekend’s semi-finals of the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, they are the anchors of hope for their respective clubs – Augustus for the Northampton Saints, Botha for Lyon.

For Augustus, nicknamed ‘Trokkie’ for his truck-like carries, it’s a chance to barrel toward a Springbok career that eluded Botha, whose own path was derailed a decade ago.

At 27, Augustus is a 32-wheeler in his prime. Northampton’s spearhead, he’s racked up seven tries this season – five in the Champions Cup alone – his 80 appearances cementing him as one of Europe’s most fearsome carriers.

Last week, he powered over for a try in Saints’ 48-31 demolition of the Bristol Bears in the English Premiership. Now, he faces a colossal challenge: toppling four-time European Cup kings Leinster at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.

His story began with a roar at the 2017 World Rugby U20 Championship, where he bulldozed defences, scoring seven tries in five games to clinch the Player of the Tournament award. From the Stormers and Western Province to Northampton’s 2023-24 Premiership triumph, Trokkie has built up a head of steam to be unstoppable this season.

Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson labelled him “an incredible rugby player” and “an absolute beast” after last season’s Champions Cup quarter-final rout of the Vodacom Bulls. As he gears up for a move to Ulster next season, Augustus has his eyes set on silverware, and a Springbok call-up from Rassie Erasmus.

Botha trod a similar path years ago. Captain of the Junior Boks in 2011 and SA Rugby U20 Player of the Year, he was tipped for greatness. But a brutal knee injury in 2013, in his second and final Test, shattered his Bok hopes, opening the door for 21-year-old Siya Kolisi’s iconic Test debut.

A move to Europe followed after three seasons at the Bulls and Botha’s grit shone through in stints with London Irish and Munster before a return to Pretoria where he won back-to-back Currie Cup titles in 2020 and 2021.

Since landing at Lyon in 2022, he’s been the cornerstone of the pack and his contract was duly extended until 2026. On Sunday, he leads Lyon against Racing 92 at Matmut Stadium de Gerland, chasing a second Challenge Cup final since their 2021-22 title.

Like Augustus, Botha is an imposing ball-carrier and his veteran experience will be crucial in steering Lyon through knockout chaos. At 33, he’s on the final laps of his career and that means he will hold nothing in reserve as he empties the tank in what is sure to be a vicious French derby.

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Augustus, meanwhile, wants more. With the 2027 World Cup in Australia on the horizon and Springbok spots up for grabs, his explosive runs are a loud Bok audition.

Trokkie is chasing what Botha never fully got, a regular place in the green and gold.

Champions Cup semi-finals:
Saturday, 3 May
Leinster vs Northampton Saints, Aviva Stadium, Dublin. 6.30pm
Sunday 4 May
Bordeaux-Begles vs Toulouse, Matmut Atlantique, Bordeaux, 5pm

Challenge Cup semi-finals:
Saturday, 3 May
Edinburgh vs Bath, Hive Stadium, Edinburgh, 4pm
Sunday, 4 May
Lyon vs Racing 92, Matmut Stadium, Lyon, 2.30pm

Photo: Joe Giddens/PA Images via Getty Images